Recent Advances in the Genetics of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Lindsey Kent MD PhD
Developmental Psychiatry Section, Douglas House 18 Trumpington Road, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 2AH, UK mailto:lk255@cam.ac.uk
Current Psychiatry Reports 2004, 6:143-148 (published 1 April 2004)

Abstract

In the past few years, interest in the molecular genetics of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has grown enormously, with many groups searching for susceptibility genes, often through large collaborative efforts facilitated by the International ADHD Genetics Consortium. Association findings for several candidate genes within the dopaminergic system, the DRD4 and DRD5 receptor genes and the dopamine transporter gene, DAT1, have been well replicated, and the first of several ongoing genome linkage scan study results have been published. Current challenges in this field are to identify the actual functional variant(s) in these genes conferring susceptibility and other genetic and environmental risk factors for ADHD.

Lindsey Kent , MBChB., PhD. MRC Psych
University Lecturer
I am a child and adolescent psychiatrist with research interests in the biological underpinnings of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and related conditions. My particular interests are concerned with the genetics of hyperactivity and attention disorders. In addition to searching for susceptibility genes, a further research aim is to identify meaningful biological phenotypes for ADHD, which may assist gene identification strategies. I am part of the international ADHD molecular genetic consortium and collaborate with a number of other research groups including the neuropsychiatric genetics groups in Trinity College Dublin and University of Wales, College of Medicine.